Improving Your Eye for Functional Conformation

Judy Wardrope of JW Equine will be presenting a conformation clinic Saturday, February 24th at PineRidge Equine Park in OakBank, Manitoba.

Wardrope is an internationally published journalist, recognized authority on functional conformation and pedigree analysis, as well as a sought-after consultant. Her informative and entertaining clinic will help you to see and evaluate horses and their performance potential in a whole, new way.

Wardrope’s presentation is unique. She uses conformation photographs of some of the world’s top horses to illustrate the principles of functional conformation such as why some horses are world-class jumpers and others succeed in the dressage arena or win at the racetrack.

People attending the clinic can expect to leave with a new understanding of how equine conformation relates to success in specific disciplines. Wardrope’s clinics have been the most popular sessions at several Equine Affaires in the USA, are a proposed requirement for Sport Pony inspectors, have been the focal seminar for breed associations and contribute to Equine Canada’s coaches updating hours.

“How much sweat and strife could have been avoided had I been able to listen to (Judy Wardrope) a decade earlier,” said Violet Forbes of Lexington, Kentucky. “There is not a person in the equine industry today who could not benefit from her lecture. If they did listen and learn, we would not be producing horses that are ill equipped to perform the duties we are breeding them for. I now can approach my own horse buying and breeding activities with a new and valuable understanding of what I require in a horse, and what conformational attributes will help me achieve success.”

“This clinic dispelled any previously held notions in regard to conformation,” commented clinic participant, Leslie Melvin of New Brunswick. Wardrope’s theories of functional conformation are based on many years of observation and study of thousands of horses competing successfully at the top levels in various equestrian sports from show jumping and barrel racing to dressage and racing. Her method of evaluating conformation is based on analysis of the bone structure of the horse beneath the developed muscles.

“There are no ‘perfect’ horses,” she said, “but, by putting a horse into a discipline (athletic pursuit) for which he’s best suited, we can make life easier for him. You don’t use a Ferrari to pull a horse trailer. It’s not designed for that.”

Applying the principles of Functional Conformation has other benefits as well. If a horse is doing a ‘job’ that is relatively easy for him, because of his conformational strengths, the chances of success are increased and the chances of injury are reduced. By analyzing the ‘construction’ of stallions and mares, breeders can select mating that should enhance athleticism in the offspring.

“As coaches, not only do we have to have to have some knowledge of conformation, but to translate that into what students need relative to the exercises we present and why they may be having difficulties with certain ones.” Trish Mrakawa, DeWinton, AB, CBET Task Force, NCCP Level 3 Coach, Master Course Conductor for Alberta.